Feb 28 Junior Day Names You Need to Know

Hamilton & Bragg

02/28/2009

Given the importance of the Texas Junior Days in terms of the final class, these are the names that you need to know. Burnt Orange Beat summarizes each player's offers, prior junior days, and then breaks down their strengths as a player. With twelve verbals already taken for the 2010 class, most of the rest of the class will come this weekend's attendees and the prior junior day attendees.

The first Texas Longhorn Junior Day was Sunday, February 8, and it was will be quite an accumulation of talent. Of that group, Texas now has twelve verbal commitments. This weekend Texas is bringing in another group of about twenty players, although it is not expected that anywhere near all get offered.

No additional quarterbacks are expected in as Texas already has commitments from Connor Wood (Houston Second Baptist) and Case McCoy (Graham). Wood is planning on being at the junior day.

RB – Traylon Shead – Cayuga
Has over 7,500 career rushing yards and has a chance to break the all-time high school career rushing record of Sugar Land Express Kenneth Hall
Holds offers from Texas A&M (attended JD), Baylor, Houston, SMU, TCU, and TulsaStrengths: Shead is a legit 6-2, 205-210-pounds. The junior's strength is quick feet and the ability to stick his foot in the ground and burst for 10-15 yards. Shead is not a home run hitter that will make long runs at the next level as he doesn't accelerate more than 10-15 yards, but he is a run maximizer.

RB – Dontae Williams – Aldine
Second Team All-Combine at the US Army All-American combine in San Antonio in January
Attended LSU JD (January 31) and is receiving interest from LSU, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, Oregon, and Florida (no offers to date)Strengths: Williams is one of the more interesting prospects in the class in state as he didn't enjoy the production of other backs in 2008 due to a high ankle sprain and Aldine having two games cancelled due to Hurricane Ike. At 5-11, 200-pounds, Williams runs with power, plays high to low and then low to high and is a tough runner with an impressive forward lean.

WR – Demarco Cobbs – Tulsa, Oklahoma
Considered the top player in Oklahoma
Initially going to attend February 8 junior day, but was not able to make trip; did receive Texas offer in mail shortly thereafter
Holds offers from basically the entire Big 12 and SECStrengths: Cobbs is one of the top prospects in the country. At 6-2, 190 pounds with strength and speed, the Tulsa area product is on the wish list of programs from coast to coast.

WR – DeAndrew White – North Shore
Holds offers from Alabama and HoustonStrengths: White is one of the fastest prospects in the state of Texas period. At 5-11, 165 pounds with quickness and burst, White has the ability to separate from defenders in and out of his breaks as well as after the catch accelerating to top end speed quickly.

WR – Chris Hawkins – Channelview
Holds offers from Houston and KentuckyStrengths: Hawkins didn't receive much attention during the 2008 season playing for a winless Channelview team, but his skill set is among the best of any skill player. Hawkins is 6-1.5, 174 pounds, runs a legit sub 4.5 forty and sports vertical of more than 35 inches. Throw in soft hands, timing at the highest point and the ability to separate from defenders and Hawkins is a top notch receiver prospect.

WR – Eddie Johnson – Midlothian
Holds offers from Baylor and SMUStrengths: Johnson is one of many tall receivers in state in the 2010 class. What Johnson has is a naturally strong body and the ability to get the ball in a crowd. Johnson, at this point, is a possession receiver at the next level, but developing.

WR – Ross Apo – Arlington Oak Ridge
Attended Oklahoma JD (Jan 24) and Tulsa JD (Feb 21); holds offers from BYU, Tulsa, Nebraska and Oklahoma State
Apo did arrive on Friday and spent a lot of time with the coaches and attended practice. Strengths: Like Johnson, Apo is a big receiver. At 6-3.5, 199 pounds, Apo has the size to run through arm tackles and maximize short catches. Apo is a prospect that hasn't been seen as much as others due to playing Arlington The Oakridge School.

OT – Jake Matthews – Elkins
Invited to Junior Days at LSU and Florida, among a host of others; holds offers from Texas (by phone), Texas A&M, USC, and Oklahoma
Arrived on campus Friday with his father Bruce and attended practice.Strengths: Technically, Matthews is as good as one will see on the high school level. Like his father Bruce and uncle Clay Matthews, the junior is an impressive athlete. A 6-2, 220-pound quarterback as a freshman, Matthews is just now beginning to fill out his 6-5 frame. One of the top prospects in the country regardless of position.

OC – Dominic Espinosa – Cedar Park
Attended Texas A&M JD and LSU JD (Jan 31); holds offers from LSU, Missouri, Baylor, Texas A&M, Stanford and Tennessee, among othersStrengths: Espinosa plays tackle for Cedar Park, but projects inside to center or guard. Physical at the point of attack with good feet that move consistently and the ability to reach block, the junior will be an asset in the run game. It appears as if the Longhorns will offer Espinosa a greyshirt.

DT – Cedric Steward – Channelview
Could also play on the offensive lineStrengths: Steward is a defensive tackle prospect that has spent the majority of his high school career on the offensive side of the ball at right tackle. Steward is naturally strong in the lower body with a naturally punch and strong hands. The Channelview product is true run stuffing defensive tackle prospect.

DE – Darrin Leaks – South HoustonStrengths: Leaks oozes potential with every snap. The South Houston end is blessed with long arms, change of direction, the ability to accelerate when he finds the football and the natural feel for when to go to a second pass rush move. Throw in a 6-3.5, 215-pound frame and Leaks is one of the top defensive end prospects in the state.

DE – Clarence Lee – Jefferson
Attended Texas A&M JD Strengths: Lee is a legit 6-3, 210 pounds. Playing at 2A Jefferson in East Texas, he hasn't been in front of as many eyes as Houston and Dallas are prospects, but has long arms and good speed.

CB – Tyler Stephenson – Lancaster
Holds offers from North Carolina and Texas A&MStrengths: Stephenson is quick, fast and physical. A top-notch hurdler in track, Stephenson has explosive, reactive ability. Slight of build at 5-10 and 155-160 pounds, Stephenson needs only to get stronger and continue to work on his pedal and transition.

S – Quentin Hayes – LancasterStrengths: Hayes, in a nutshell, has explosive speed and is a physical safety prospect. At 5-11, 176 pounds with 40 times ranging from 4.37 to 4.43, Hayes is one of the faster prospects in Texas. Improved hip flexibility is the only thing keeping the Lancaster product from being a top-notch corner prospect.

S – Bryant Jackson – Sulphur Springs
Invited to junior days at Texas A&M and Oklahoma; holds offer from Texas A&MStrengths: Jackson is a tall, rangy ball hawk roaming the secondary for Sulphur Springs with double digit interceptions and close to 175 tackles in the last two seasons with a 6-3.5, 175-pound frame, Jackson has caught the attention of many top programs in the region.

ATH – Jeremy Johnson – Silsbee
Plays quarterback for Silsbee but could play on either side of the ball for Texas
Currently hold five offers from TCU, Missouri, West Virginia, Baylor and Houston with Oklahoma, Texas, Texas A&M and LSU showing serious interest. Strengths: Simply put, Johnson has great feet, change of direction and acceleration. Throw in the fact that he is 6-2, 175-180 pounds and the Silsbee product is one of the more intriguing prospects in the state. He wants to play quarterback at the next level, but Texas and Oklahoma are recruiting him as an athlete.

ATH – James Haynes – West Orange-Stark
Attended to LSU JD (Jan 31); holds offers from Texas Tech and Stanford; heavy interest from Oklahoma and Texas A&M Strengths: Haynes is one of the top pure athletes in the state of Texas. The 6-1, 181 pound receiver and corner prospect burst onto the scene last summer with standout performances at various combines.

ATH – Trey Franks – West Orange-Stark
Brother of Texas A&M WR, Kerry, and Texas Tech WR, Jacoby
Holds Missouri offerStrengths: Franks is small in stature at 5-9 and 165-pounds, but is a physical football player at corner, safety or receiver. Franks is the younger brother of former Texas A&M receiver Kerry Franks and current Texas Tech receiver Jacoby Franks. Projects to slot receiver or corner at the next level and has terrific ball skills.

ATH – Quentin Parks – Atascocita
Attended LSU JD (Jan 31) Strengths: Parks plays receiver for Atascocita, but could project to a number of positions at the next level. At 6-3, 210-215 pounds with 4.65 speed, Parks is getting looks at receiver, tight end, linebacker and even safety.